Activist honored by state chamber

Wednesday

May 23, 2007 at 12:01 AM

LOCKEFORD - Timothy Fowler has an unusual hobby. It involves helping Lockeford get its first signal light on busy Highway 88, once leading the community's municipal advisory committee and last year jumping in to keep Clements-Lockeford Chamber of Commerce open.

Reed Fujii

LOCKEFORD - Timothy Fowler has an unusual hobby. It involves helping Lockeford get its first signal light on busy Highway 88, once leading the community's municipal advisory committee and last year jumping in to keep Clements-Lockeford Chamber of Commerce open.

Professionally, he's an arbitrator called in to resolve thorny business and legal disputes outside the costly court system. But his passion lies in being a civic activist.

That's why Fowler was among five people honored Monday as a 2007 Small Business Advocate of the Year by the California Chamber of Commerce.

Fowler said Tuesday that he was surprised to be called to share the spotlight with other advocates, most from much larger communities.

"They were some of the big boys from very big cities," he said. "When you're looking at Clements and Lockeford and representing the chamber, we're some of the small guys.

"Since it's a statewide event, I really did not anticipate receiving that award, but I'm very honored."

The five honorees were selected for taking leadership roles in or working on federal, state or local ballot measures, testifying before the state Legislature and representing a local chamber of commerce before local government, California Chamber officials said.

"Small business growth is crucial to California's jobs climate," said Allan Zaremberg, state chamber president. "All the small business advocate winners have demonstrated leadership abilities, not only in their own businesses, which is a major accomplishment, but also in working to promote policies that will help other small businesses thrive."

Cynthia Haynes, unpaid chief executive of the Clements-Lockeford Chamber, nominated Fowler. "Timothy has worked really diligently in the community to make all sorts of things happen," she said Tuesday.

"He volunteers his time without ever promoting himself or his own business," Haynes added. "Timothy just stood out from the other four people who won the award as being someone who just did it for his sense of community."

Fowler said it was hard to explain why he commits so much time and energy to civic activism.

"I get enjoyment out of it," he said. "Some (people) go golfing and I take on challenges like this."

His focus today is on the revitalization of central Lockeford, where Fowler said he sees far too many vacancies in commercial space.

He backs a Highway 88 bypass as a way to take heavy traffic away from central Lockeford and restore a safer, slower pace to the commercial district. Fowler is also concerned about crime, vandalism and the need for some renovation and restoration work.

"Then we'll be able to be a true downtown, where people come to visit and shop," he said.

"It is a long slow process," Fowler acknowledged. "It is nothing that is going to happen in one year or two years or three years."

But he's eager to tackle the job.

"Great things happen because there are great challenges, and there are many challenges out here."